Geneva—As the P5+1 powers continue in their efforts to get a recalcitrant Iran to halt its production of nuclear grade materials, Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, continues to rail against any agreement that would leave Iran with its nuclear production facilities intact. Denounced by the New York Times as generating “hysterical opposition,” the Times editorial conveniently failed to address Netanyahu’s position that he wants “a diplomatic solution, but one that actually dismantles Iran’s nuclear program.”

Concurring with Netanyahu, a senior U.S. official reported, “The United States and Israel have worked very closely and consulted often in the way to proceed forward. Some days we may disagree on tactics,” said the official, “but we absolutely agree on the objective and we absolutely agree that we need a comprehensive agreement, and we hope to get one very soon.”

Over the past weekend, it was reported that France’s Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius seemed the sole holdout to finalizing a proposal that would lift some economic sanctions pending Iran’s agreement to temporarily halt its nuclear production capabilities. This prompted the Times to declare, “If all those inveighing against any deal—namely members of Congress, Israel and Saudi Arabia—see the weekend results as a new opportunity to sabotage it, what is the alternative?” Again the Times failed to mention that “it was Iran that was not prepared to sign the agreement on Saturday night in Geneva. They needed to go home and consult.”

In the meantime, Netanyahu continues to press for a “better deal” that would not give Iran everything it wants “without paying for anything.” As Netanyahu stated, “We will continue to speak out” against the deal that is being negotiated, because “this process has a goal…to prevent Iran attaining a nuclear weapons capability.”

The next round of talks is scheduled for November 20^th.